Actor and singer Andy Lau Tak-wah has become a father for the first time at the age of 50, Hong Kong and mainland media reported yesterday, although neither Lau nor his manager have so far confirmed the reports.

His Malaysian-Chinese wife, Carol Chu, gave birth to a girl - a 'dragon daughter' - at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on Tuesday, the reports say.

Fans didn't wait for the star, who likes to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, to confirm the news before flooding his website with messages of congratulation, while reporters flocked to the hospital.

Reports that former beauty queen Chu, 46, was pregnant, had circulated since July and were confirmed by Lau in November.

Lau is reported to have rejected several film offers to spend time with his pregnant wife, and is also said to have hired bodyguards and two personal nurses for her.

The Year of the Dragon - considered an auspicious time to give birth - has been kind to Lau, who also picked up the Best Actor award at last month's Hong Kong Film Awards, the third time he has claimed the award.